Hi from Pennsylvania

[nicc]

Hi all.

Years back I enjoyed growing orchids and had small collection. But life happens, things change and I haven't been in it the same since.
I do have a few orchids that I've not killed and recently went to a local show and couldn't resist getting a couple more. So, this is sort of a last-ditch effort to make it work or hang it up.

I recently moved my plants from the basement (the main problem) to my very space-challenged living area. Which is the reason I had them in the basement to begin with.
It's nice to have plants in my living space again but they are now in less than ideal growing conditions and it's already affecting them.

Hopefully I can find enough info and advice here to get this to work for me again 🙂

[Roberta]

Welcome!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

We either change the space to fit the orchids we want to grow, or we find plants that do well in our current space. What are your growing conditions?

[Blueszz]

Welcome.

[Ray]

Welcome!

What part of PA? I used to live in Doylestown…

[nicc]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

We either change the space to fit the orchids we want to grow, or we find plants that do well in our current space. What are your growing conditions?

My indoor conditions are dry winters and somewhat humid summers. Central air runs in the summer.

I have a room with north and east windows. A room with a south and west. But there are houses and trees nearby and weather isn't consistent.

I set a dend. Pure Heart next to my west window and the new growth is already stretching towards the window. It's been very rainy and cloudy lately.

You're right it will be a balance between getting plants that will work but also keeping what I currently have happy.

Originally Posted by Ray

Welcome!

What part of PA? I used to live in Doylestown…

I'm in the Pittsburgh area.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by nicc

I'm in the Pittsburgh area.

You have a great local orchid society there - Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania. Unless it has changed, they meet at Phipps.

[aihpcfl]

Welcome from Florida.

I made a lot of trips to Pittsburgh back in the day. That view when driving into the city from the airport and coming out of the tunnel and seeing the city in front of you, that's incredible. Got me every time.

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, nicc! Like you, I have a small house with almost no room for houseplants. I'm up to twenty plants now, and I'm pretty sure that's my limit.

But I wanted to mention that the one thing that helped me the most was providing supplemental lighting. I was resistant to that idea because I didn't want industrial-looking strip lights hanging from the ceiling in my house. I ended up using several tall floor lamps providing full-spectrum light (a couple are advertised for plants), and they are tolerable as far as looks.

Also like you, my wintertime humidity is very low, and I have always found that I have to water more often in winter, which probably goes against common orchid growing advice. During the worst of the winter, I was watering every other day. (None of my orchids are the type that require a winter dormancy.)

[nicc]

Originally Posted by Ray

You have a great local orchid society there - Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania. Unless it has changed, they meet at Phipps.

They have moved to a different location. I did go to a couple meetings back in the day but it was never convenient to go regularly.

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Welcome to the Orchid Board, nicc! Like you, I have a small house with almost no room for houseplants. I'm up to twenty plants now, and I'm pretty sure that's my limit.

But I wanted to mention that the one thing that helped me the most was providing supplemental lighting. I was resistant to that idea because I didn't want industrial-looking strip lights hanging from the ceiling in my house. I ended up using several tall floor lamps providing full-spectrum light (a couple are advertised for plants), and they are tolerable as far as looks.

Also like you, my wintertime humidity is very low, and I have always found that I have to water more often in winter, which probably goes against common orchid growing advice. During the worst of the winter, I was watering every other day. (None of my orchids are the type that require a winter dormancy.)

Sounds like we have near identical conditions. I agree with needing a light and I'm the same with wanting one that I can live with. Which brand did you go with? I've been looking over the lighting section for ideas.
Also what potting media do you use? I'm considering doing semi-hydro for ease and consistency.